Description: Cowal and Trossachs Forest District header

19 March 2014
   

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In this email:

    Latest news from the Strathyre, Callander & Trossachs Area
    Ben A'an improvements
    Tackling storm damaged areas
    Great Trossachs Path to open ahead of schedule
    Forest design plans
    Coilhallan restock
    Did you know?
    Contact information

Latest news from the Strathyre, Callander & Trossachs Area



Welcome to the first edition of Cowal & Trossachs Newsletter.

Cowal and Trossachs Forest District manages 40,000 hectares of forest and two unique Forest Parks - all within, or in close proximity to, Scotland's first National Park. It is a haven for wildlife and a place for exploration and adventure.

Forestry Commission Scotland is committed to the long-term future of this beautiful Scottish landscape. We undertake expert forest management activity as efficiently as possible, taking care to minimise impact for our neighbours at the same time as ensuring due consideration of conservation, wildlife protection and visitor safety.

Find out more about some of the activity we are planning and are in the process of carrying out below.

Please circulate this email to relevant contacts. To subscribe to this list, email us at CowalTrossachs.FD@forestry.gis.gov.uk or click here to unsubscribe.

Ben A'an improvements



Forestry Commission Scotland is planning tree-felling work, followed by an upgrade programme, to the popular Ben A'an pathway ensuring that it is safe and easier to use for years to come.

It is necessary to close the path to the public for safety reasons while these improvements take place. It is expected that the works will get underway from the second half of 2014 and be completed by Autumn 2015.

The team is currently looking at possible alternative routes for visitors.

The improvements will make the path more user- friendly by providing a better quality walking experience for both experienced visitors and newcomers to the area.

Once the works are completed the hillside will be restored to native woodland.

Tackling storm damaged areas

Description: Click here to set the image for this story.Forests in the Callander area have suffered significant damage from winter storms. The most affected areas are the Callander Crags and the access path to Ben Ledi. An estimated 15 hectares of forest was damaged in total. This effectively means that fallen trees are either blocking footpaths or leaning in an unsafe manner. Two footbridges in Callander Crags have also been destroyed in the storms.

The health and safety of forest visitors is of paramount importance so we have had to close some affected paths to the public.

In Callander Crags we have been working hard with Stirling Council to help clear lower paths of storm damaged trees and re-open them safely for visitors. However, some higher level paths remain closed.

A helicopter aerial survey of the area has been undertaken to let us fully assess the damage and plan how best to remove the damaged trees. This will also give us a better idea of timeframes for completing the clear-up operation.

At Ben Ledi we estimate an area of up to two hectares has been badly damaged. There is a diversion to the path in place. We intend to fell trees currently affecting the footpath as well as a number of other trees to mitigate future risks.

The clear-up will take some time and is likely to move in to the summer months. Everything possible is being done to ensure these essential works are undertaken as quickly and as safely as possible. In all felling sites we will follow up with planting programmes to replace the trees.



Description: Ben Ledi Map
Great Trossachs Path to open ahead of schedule

Description: Click here to set the image for this story.The construction of a new five-mile path linking Callander and Brig O' Turk, marking the completion of the 35-mile long Great Trossachs Path, is set to be completed later this year - six months ahead of schedule.

The Great Trossachs Path, which links the West Highland Way with NCR7, was originally due to be completed in 2015. However, thanks to a mild winter and the hard work of the project team, it will be open for use in the second half of 2014.

The new section of path, built by Forestry Commission Scotland and the Woodland Trust with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is a key part of the wider Great Trossachs Forest Project, a large scale woodland restoration development.

(photo: © The Woodland Trust)

Forest design plans





A number of forest design plans will be re-worked over the next 12 months.

Strathyre South - Work is currently underway to prepare the next decade-long design plan for managing the forests in the south Strathyre area. The plan, spanning 2015-2025, will outline how Forestry Commission Scotland intends to fell and re-plant trees to maximise the potential of the woodland.

Callander Crags - A draft plan is close to completion, but is being amended to take account of wind damage which occurred during the winter.

Wester Torrie - A new acquisition of land adjacent to our existing Torrie Forest, consultation due to begin during spring this year.

Rhynaclach - Another acquisition of land, half of which is now operating as a "starter farm", with consultation on potential tree planting due to start later this year.

Interested parties will be given an opportunity to view the proposals ahead of the plans being approved. Further updates will be available in the coming months.

Coilhallan restock



Work will soon begin at Coilhallan Wood to plant the next generation of trees. This follows the harvesting which was carried out over six years ago.

Forestry Commission Scotland is committed to widening biodiversity and reintroducing native woodland. At Coilhallan the planting will include mostly Silver Birch, Aspen and Scots Pine. When complete the area should provide walkers with a more aesthetically pleasing woodland habitat.

A fence will be built around the area to protect the young samplings from damage from local deer populations. The replanting and construction of the fence will be finished by the end of March. It is not expected that this will disrupt visitors to any significant degree.

Did you know?

There are 21 Munros, 22 larger lochs and 50 rivers and large burns within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.





NOTE : DID YOU KNOW ?

The Forestry commission is  doing about restocking all of these waters !

As far as I've been told nothing, none of the permit money collected goes back to reinvesting in stock for future generations ! I have been told it goes towards repairing the forestry roads, litter picking and baillifing!

SOON THERE WILL BE NO FISH LEFT FOR FISHER PEOPLE OR WILD LIFE !!